Las Cruces artist Michael Poncé ends exhibit by setting art ablaze

Algernon D’Ammassa Las Cruces Sun-News Published 6:54 PM EST Dec 7, 2018 LAS CRUCES – Exposed to the heat of an open fire, the colors in Michael Poncé’s painting began to change. The blue mountain range suggested in the painting, titled “Depressing Landscape,” turned grey as three ores dribbled blue across the canvas. Soon, a tear opened up in the center of the canvas before it melted away, yawning open to reveal open flames. Watching his work burn as a dozen witnesses looked on, the artist was beaming. “Transformation,” he said aloud. “That’s a good one. That’s gorgeous.” It was the Dec. 2 closing reception of Poncé’s latest art exhibit, held on a brisk Sunday evening at sunset, just beyond city limits. Wine and other refreshments were served inside the small art gallery owned by Las Cruces artist and publisher Roy van der Aa. Electronic music played, and skewered marshmallows along with provisions for s’mores were at hand. MORE: New Mexico artist Penny Thomas Simpson featured in art show Poncé, a Las Cruces native who studied at New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology and New York Academy of Art before doing graduate research at Oxford University, currently teaches at Doña Ana Community College. Closing the exhibit by burning works was the artist’s plan from the beginning, subject to obtaining a fire permit and conditions on the day. The alternative plan had been to run the paintings through a table saw. ‘I’ve always destroyed my work’ The atmosphere was festive as 10 paintings were fed, one… [Read full story]